Nature+ life

Valuing and conserving nature

Biological diversity is essential for human well‐being—it provides food security, human health, clean air and water. Biodiversity contributes directly to local livelihoods and economic development. We need to do better at proving that conserving biodiversity is not a sacrifice, but an opportunity that brings many benefits. The value of nature is irreplaceable and essential to human wellbeing.

Today species are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. What needs to happen to reverse this? Cristián Samper, President and CEO of Wildlife Conservation Society tells the story of the American buffalo, the largest land mammal in North America, that was brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to the efforts of people, governments and institutions like those present at IUCN’s Congress. …

How to know if an ecosystem is at risk? How to evaluate this probability? Jon Paul Rodriguez explains how the Red List of Ecosystems will answer these questions and help governments, private sector and academia to take the right decisions. …

Saving nature, why bother? This was the theme of the last World Leaders Dialogue, which closed the Forum, leading into the next segment of Congress, the IUCN’s Members Assembly. By giving the floor to two opposing organisations and visions regarding Jeju naval base, the true spirit of the Union’s democratic model came to life once again. …

Related news

Jeju Declaration by the IUCN President, the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea, the Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Chairman of the Korean Organizing Committee on the occasion of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, September 2012 … | French | Spanish

Is the value of nature essential and irreplaceable to human wellbeing? Last night, panelists at the World Leaders Dialogue discussed the crucial question: why bother saving nature? The final session, which was the culmination of the four previous dialogues, was moderated by Rafael Méndez, a journalist at El País, and focused on the importance of protecting, managing and governing nature and its benefits. …

Tarzan’s Chameleon, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Pygmy Three-toed Sloth have all topped a new list of the species closest to extinction released today by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. … | French | Spanish

At the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is warning of the growing threats faced by many existing World Heritage sites and is calling for stronger measures to guarantee their future. … | French | Spanish

Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, 9 September 2012 (IUCN) – With several pilot projects underway, preparations for IUCN’s Green List of Well-Managed Protected areas are gathering pace prior to its official launch at the next IUCN World Parks Congress to be held in Australia in 2014. … | French | Spanish

From Australia to Patagonia, from coral reefs to rainforests and deserts, the new IUCN Red List of Ecosystems will assess the status of ecosystems worldwide, to identify their risks and the potential impact on both ecosystems and human wellbeing. … | French | Spanish

Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, 8 September 2012 (IUCN) – As concern increases on the state of natural resources and the degradation of the world’s oceans, it is critical to be clear on how countries are progressing with conservation actions for the environment. New guidance issued today on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) will significantly improve ocean protection efforts. … | French | Spanish

Come 2013 the government of Japan will establish a new national park along areas heavily affected by the 2011 tsunami; a bold pursuit to invest in natural barriers against future natural hazards. This and more are the lessons and steps the government of Japan and its partners are sharing at the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress.
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Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, 7 September, 2012 (IUCN) – Protected Areas –parks, nature reserves and other natural areas– assist in reducing deforestation, habitat and species loss, and support the livelihoods of over one billion people, while containing 15 % of the world’s carbon stock, according to a new report released today at the World Conservation Congress. … | French | Spanish

Biological diversity is essential for human well-being. It provides food security, human health, clean air and water. It contributes directly to local livelihoods and economic development. But despite its fundamental importance for life on this planet, biodiversity continues to be lost.

Josephine Langley, coordinator of IUCN's work on biodiversity, explains what’s needed to stem this loss.